The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

Cascara sagrada is a small deciduous tree or large deciduous shrub with thinly fissured bark; grows 15-25 feet high, and its reddish-brown bark is often covered with a gray lichen. The alternate, dark green, elliptic to oblong-ovate, wavy-edged, leaves are finely and irregularly toothed or nearly entire. They are rounded at the base and may be obtuse or acute at the apex. Clusters of small, greenish, bell-shaped, flowers grow in finely hairy umbels on leaf axils, producing eventually juicy, black or purplish black, pea-sized drupes (berries).Back to Top

Native to the mountainous areas of North America from British Columbia to Montana and northern California, Idaho. Found in moist places, in the understory of coniferous forests, along roadsides.Back to Top

California buckthorn (cascara sagrada) is still the most effective laxative known. It has also been used for gallstones and liver ailments.

Coffee berry (cascara sagrada), “Ae buck oko,” Warms Springs, Oregon. California Native Americans used it also. The bark was peeled back towards the ground; used for a physic.
The bark is very bitter and disagreeable to the taste of many people.

In Europe, Rhamnus frangula was being used for its laxative properties. In remote sections of the northwest, Native Americans were using Rhamnus purshiana for laxative. As the Europeans eventually came in contact with the Native Americans of the northwest they learned about the new variety of Rhamnus. They recognized it as a superior variety and eventually replaced the old world variety for the Native American variety. It is better known today as Cascara Sagrada.

While the Native Americans did not know the chemical constituents of their medicine plants, centuries of experiment taught them the hidden virtues. They knew just what season an herb contained its fullest properties. They knew that an herb found growing in certain soils and locations was superior medicinally to the same plant growing in an unfavorable location. They believed that bark growing on the sunny side of trees was stronger than bark found on the shady side. They knew what part of the plants were best used and applied them in the manner most effective. The Native Americans understood the strength of their medicines. This is remarkably evident when they used such drastic medicine as Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, Poison Hemlock, and Stramonium. They were taken internally for certain conditions with counter-balancing botanicals in special doses.

In Colonial times and early pioneer days, the settlers often went to the Native American medicine man for help. Today many of these old Native American medicines are recognized and used by herbalists. Modern chemistry has proved how remarkable and correct the majority of the Native Indian remedies were used.

Missionaries called the bark found in Native American belongings Cascara Sagrada or Holy Bark, believing it to be the Chitemwood of the Bible.

The United States Dispensatory states: “Cascara Sagrada belongs to the group of vegetable cathartics whose activity depends upon the presence of one or more hydroxymethulanthraguinones–in the treatment of chronic constipation it acts very favorably. It often appears to restore tone to the relaxed bowel and in this way produces a permanent beneficial effect.”

Herbalists generally believe best results are obtained when Cascara is mixed with other herb simples.Back to Top

Use for liver disorders, gallstones, leukemia, colitis, parasitic infestation, hemorrhoids, hepatic torpor, jaundice, and diverticulosis. Acts as a colon cleanser and as a laxative. Cascara sagrada bark is one of the best and commonest plant laxatives. It encourages peristalsis by irritating the bowels, but it is also useful for chronic constipation since it has a lasting tonic effect on relaxed bowels. Cascara sagrada has also been used for gallstones and liver ailments and for chronic dyspepsia. Cascara sagrada is not habit forming.Back to Top